Chemistry of Pyrotechnics Courses

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) intends to negotiate on a sole source basis to Summer Pyrotechnic Seminars. The Government contemplates and indefinite delivery and indefinite quantity contract for one base year and four option years using commercial item procedures in FAR Part 12 and FAR Subpart 13.5. A determination by the Government to not compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received from interested parties will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Chemistry of Pyrotechnics and Explosives has been designated by ATF O 3323.1, dated October 2008, as a mandatory explosives training course for ATF Special Agent Certified Explosive Specialists. The course is also offered to ATF Industry Operations Investigators, Explosives Enforcement Officers and Chemists, as well as State and local certified bomb technicians and fire investigators. The three day course, developed by Dr. John Conkling, Ph.D., has been refined specifically to provide law and regulatory enforcement specialists with a scientific background in explosives materials, focusing on the basic principles and behavior properties of pyrotechnic and explosives chemistry. Dr. Conkling is a world-renowned author and lecturer in the field of pyrotechnics and explosives chemistry. His textbook, Chemistry of Pyrotechnics: Basic Principles and Theory, is the basis for this course. He offers this course under his - Summer Pyrotechnic Seminars program. On day one, the course provides an overview and basic principles of energetic materials, to include the definitions and terminology for energetic materials; an introduction to energetic materials; fundamentals of pyrotechnics; and an introduction to explosives. Explosives and propellants are covered on day two, with an in-depth discussion concerning detonation vs. deflagration; explosives systems, explosive articles and devices; civilian vs. military explosives; and propellants and low explosives. On day three, instruction covers pyrotechnics and fireworks, discussing the classification of explosives and pyrotechnics; oxidizers, fuels and special effects; sensitivity of energetic materials; fireworks devices - construction and manufacture; and disposal and emergency response. During the last hour of each day, the points made in the classroom lecture are reinforced with a laboratory demonstration. On day one, a demonstration of components (fuels to oxidizers) is conducted to show the effects of oxidizers (potassium perchlorate, potassium nitrate, ammonium perchlorate, and strontium nitrate) and fuels (sulfur, charcoal, sugar, magnalium, and red gum) when exposed to flame. Fuels and oxidizers are mixed to show how a change in fuels affects pyrotechnic performance. The role of mixing is examined by comparing an energetic pyrotechnic system with a lower energy system to demonstrate that energetic mixtures require a minimum of blending to produce a highly reactive material, and lower energy compositions require extended mixing to create a reactive composition. On day two, oxidizer/fuel weight ratios are examined, to display how a change in the ratio by weight of oxidizer to fuel affects performance. The instructor demonstrates to what extent the burn rate of a pyrotechnic mixture is affected by the particle size and degree of homogeneity of the composition. On day three, the instructor produces pyrotechnic effects by creating basic pyrotechnic compositions to show color and spark phenomena. The training classes must accommodate 50 or more attendees, and a fully equipped laboratory where the daily laboratory demonstrations are conducted. Services provided: The contract must provide for the cost of the training facility, training materials (text book and course binder), instructor fee, laboratory fees, meals and lodging. The NAICS code is 611699 with a small business size standard not to exceed $7,000,000. This is a total Small Business set aside. Awardee must be registered in the Department of Defense's (DOD) Central Contractor Registration database (CCR) for electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). NO SOLICITATION IS AVAILABLE. Attn: Jim Huff contact@example.gov. Award will be made after notice closes 27th April, 2009.